PUNERI DAL (YELLOW LENTILS PUNE-STYLE)

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Puneri Dal (Yellow Lentils Pune-Style) image

This dal, much prized by Puneri Brahmins in Maharashtra, is sweet and fragrantly spicy, with a slightly sour undertone. Kokum, one of the ingredients, is a local sour fruit which has been dried, and it gives southern Indian food a distinctive flavour. It is often available from Indian groceries, but tamarind paste is an acceptable substitute. Asafoetida is a gum resin prized as a condiment in India. It is also known variously as 'devil's dung' and 'food of the gods'! It has a strong sulphur smell prior to cooking, but thereafter has a pleasant aroma. Asafoetida is a useful antidote for flatulence, and is thus incorporated into many Indian lentil dishes! Goda Masala is a Maharashtrian spice blend. I have posted the recipe for it separately (see recipe #109909).

Provided by Daydream

Categories     Curries

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 ounces toor dal, washed or 8 ounces split yellow lentils
2 teaspoons goda garam masala powder (see Goda Masala)
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2-1 teaspoon ground red chili powder
2 kokum or 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
2 teaspoons jaggery or 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
4 tablespoons fresh coconut or 4 tablespoons unsweetened coconut
salt, to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1 pinch asafoetida powder
12 curry leaves (fresh, if possible)
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Steps:

  • Simmer the lentils in 4 cups of water for approximately 20 minutes, until just cooked, but not ‘mushy’.
  • Keep an eye on the lentils while they cook to ensure the water does not fully evaporate.
  • Drain off most of the water when the lentils are cooked and add the powder spices, kokum (or tamarind paste), desiccated coconut and salt to taste.
  • Simmer for a couple of minutes and stir until well mixed, adding more water if necessary to make a moist, but not ‘sloppy’, consistency.
  • Remove from the heat and keep warm.
  • Heat oil in a small pan, add the mustard seeds, and saute until they pop and crackle.
  • Add the cumin seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves.
  • Stir once, then pour the oil and spices over the lentils.
  • Mix well, and serve hot garnished with cilantro.
  • Accompany with rice and a vegetable curry if desired.

There are no comments yet!